He’s so warm and fuzzy, looking up with his cute puppy dog eyes….. and he’s already lying on the pillow. How can you not let him? Sound familiar? For some it’s absolute bliss, for others it’s a war zone. But is it good for both of you? Let’s try to figure it out.

The pros of co-sleeping with your dog

The most obvious one is emotional comfort. A dog in bed means warmth, a sense of security, and stress reduction. Studies show that the presence of a Pet can stabilize your heart rate, reduce anxiety, and even help you fall asleep. It’s also just. enjoyable. It purrs (or snores), snuggles up to you, and creates an atmosphere of calm and unconditional love.

This works especially well for people who live alone or have trouble sleeping. The dog becomes a kind of “warming with a soul”. And for the animal itself, this is also a plus – it feels part of the pack, protected, needed.

Minuses that are worth knowing about

But the bed is not just a symbol of closeness. It’s also the area where hygiene, behavioral habits and health come into contact. And that’s where the nuances begin.

First, there’s the hair, dirt and bacteria. Even the cleanest dog brings germs back from a walk that stay on your sheets, pillow and even your face, especially if he likes to give kisses before bed. And if the animal has skin problems, allergies or parasites, it’s already a risk not only for you, but also for him.

Second, dominance issues. Some dogs begin to perceive the bed as their territory – growling if you move them, or do not want to leave it at all. This is especially noticeable in dogs with a strong temperament or those who have not been raised with clear boundaries.

And third is the quality of sleep. If your dog likes to roll over, twitch his legs in his sleep, sniffle, or get up at night to drink water, you’re probably waking up with him. And then there’s the question of whether a warm muzzle under your side is worth your morning headache.

Conclusion: it’s up to you

Sleeping with a dog or not is not a question of morality. It’s a matter of your comfort, lifestyle and mutual respect. If you feel good, your dog feels good, and you wake up with a smile, you’re welcome to sleep with your dog. But if the bed has turned into an arena of hair, insomnia and jealousy, it’s time to rethink the rules.

And if you do decide to sleep in the same bed with your dog, don’t forget that regular dog grooming will save you from unnecessary dirt and germs in bed.

Sleep should be restful – for both you and your Pet. The important thing is that you both wake up happy. 🐶💤